Vice President Faisal Naseem and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi deliberated on new areas for cooperation, including social development, between Maldives and India late Saturday.
They held the discussion during VP Naseem's call on PM Modi at the President’s Office during the prime minister's first state visit to Maldives.
VP Naseem congratulated the prime minister on his re-election, noting the landslide victory of PM Modi's ruling party, Bharat Janata Party (BJP), in India’s general elections last month.
He also expressed gratitude to India's continued assistance to the archipelago at any time of need and further stated that, as the first visit after the re-election, it was an honour to receive PM Modi in Maldives.
The vice president further emphasised the vital role played by the Indian government in maintaining peace and harmony in the Indian Ocean region.
The vice president and prime minister pledged their commitment to maintaining the longstanding friendly ties between the governments of India and Maldives.
PM Modi arrived in Maldives on his first state visit to the country following his re-election, on Saturday afternoon. The governments of Maldives and India held high-level official talks and signed six agreements in five sectors during the visit. The prime minister also delivered a special address at the Maldivian parliament, after which he attended a special banquet hosted by President Solih in his honour.
The prime minister returned to India early Sunday.